Medical marijuana investors show some interest in Stark County

TOULON — Chicago-area investors were recently scouting Stark County for possible sites for a medical marijuana facility, but their interest did not immediately lead anywhere, a County Board member said Tuesday.

They contacted county officials through an insurance agency, said board member Tom Howes, a rural Bradford resident who briefed the rest of the board Tuesday.

“The gentlemen who wanted us to promulgate this wanted us to have a site” with proper zoning and other requirements, said Howes, chairman of the board’s economic development committee. “They wanted it to have electricity and water.”

Howes said he has no information about the investors’ identities, nor whether they might be pursuing possible sites elsewhere.

“They’re a corporation out of Chicago,” Howes said. “I don’t even know who they are.”

The investors never followed through on a request that they attend a meeting and explain their plans to develop what would be one of only 21 marijuana cultivation centers to be initially allowed in Illinois under a new state law.

“I wanted them to come to the board meeting and introduce themselves,” said Howes. “To be honest with you, I think I scared them.”

Any cultivation project in Stark County would have to compete for the one state license in State Police District 8, which includes Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

Separate projects proposed at rural Lacon and rural Varna sites in Marshall County will be reviewed at a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing in Lacon on Aug. 26. A plan for a facility in Delavan has already been granted annexation and zoning permits by that Tazewell County city. And two investor groups have reportedly expressed interest in a site near Mapleton, in rural Peoria County, though they have not sought county permits or otherwise come forward publicly.

State permit applications, which must be accompanied by certification of zoning approval, are scheduled to be accepted between Sept. 8 and 22, according to the state website for the pilot program.

Mueller said his thinking had gradually changed from staunch opposition in recent months while watching other jurisdictions pursue economic benefits a facility might bring. The Marshall County Board, for instance, sent letters expressing general support for both projects there.

“The economic boost and job creation for our communities will be much appreciated,” the letters said.

Although the time frame appears to rule out a new initiative at this point, Mueller said the county might want to consider preparing for future opportunities.